Matt Chapman recorded 290 assists at third base in his first season with the San Francisco Giants. He nearly recorded another one during the offseason, too.
The Giants’ main goal of the winter was to acquire a shortstop, one of the main targets being free agent Ha-Seong Kim. Due to a shoulder injury, Kim wouldn’t have been ready for Opening Day, but Chapman didn’t want that to be an impediment to signing the former San Diego Padres infielder. So, Chapman told the front office he’d be willing to play shortstop in the interim if they signed Kim.
The move would have been no small concession. Chapman has made his career at third base. He’s won five Gold Gloves — and counting — at the position. A switch to shortstop, even temporarily, would’ve likely impeded his run for a sixth in 2025. To Chapman, winning games came first.
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames, right, and third baseman Matt Chapman walk from the field during spring training baseball practice at the team’s training facility, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
“He wants to win, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to do that,” said Giants hitting coach Pat Burrell, citing Alex Rodriguez’s move to third base to play alongside shortstop Derek Jeter when he joined the Yankees in 2004 as a rare example of a star switching positions for the benefit of the team. “It’s not uncommon, but it takes special guys to feel confident enough with where they’re at in their career to make changes.”
In the end, the Giants signed Willy Adames to be the team’s shortstop for this season and beyond. Chapman’s willingness to play out of position, though, exemplified the leadership role he’s already assumed in San Francisco. Last spring, Chapman wasn’t in any position to exert his influence.
When spring training opened last season, Chapman was still a free agent. It wasn’t until March 3, 2024, that Chapman signed a one-year, $18 million deal with options baked in — far from the long-term, nine-figure deal he was expected to sign when the offseason began. Chapman could’ve easily opted to play the free agency game for a second consecutive offseason, especially as his Giants debut turned into his best overall season since his days in Oakland from 2017-21.
Chapman, though, wanted to plant his flag.
In mid-August, the 31-year-old Chapman expressed his openness to signing a long-term extension. Less than a month later, Chapman put pen to paper on a six-year, $151 million extension. At the time, it was the second-largest deal in franchise history behind Buster Posey’s $167 million, eight-year deal.
“Every player’s goal is to be able to know where you’re going to be and be somewhere that you want to be,” Chapman said. “For me, my experience here last year was amazing. I got to be able to experience what it was like to be a Giant.
“Having Bob Melvin as your manager is something I want to do forever. I love playing for BoMel. I love my teammates, and I think what they’re doing here is special. They’re going to continue to try to win, so that’s something I want to sign up for.”
San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman #26 fields a ground ball during the spring training game against the San Diego Padres played at Scottsdale Stadium on March 18, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona.(John Medina/Special to Bay Area News Group)
The Giants have already seen substantial return on their investment. In his first season with the team, Chapman slugged 27 homers, stole a career-high 15 bases, posted a .790 OPS and won the fifth Gold Glove of his career. Chapman’s 5.5 WAR, according to FanGraphs, was his highest since he was an All-Star with the A’s in 2019.
Fans on the other side of the Bay envisioned Chapman and first baseman Matt Olson to be the foundation of the team well into this decade. Instead, they were both traded before the start of the 2022 season (part of a purge that also saw Melvin leave to manage the Padres) and signaled the end of the era and, ultimately, the end of the A’s in Oakland.
The Giants had no intention of letting Chapman get away. As things stand, Chapman could play out the rest of his career in orange and black.
“It’s what you want to see as a player,” said Giants left-hander Kyle Harrison of Chapman’s extension. “You want guys that want to be here — especially leaders that want to be here. Chappy has been that guy every day. He’s been in Scottsdale with us training every day. He’s been a vocal leader there. He’s got this calmness to him that can mesh everyone together.”
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When Chapman signed his extension, Melvin said, “The performance speaks for itself, but I think it’s a lot of the intangible things that make him who he is and make him such a great fit here. The style of play, the tenacity with which he plays, wants to post every day, plays hurt and never says anything about it.”
Chapman is far from the only Giant who figures in the Giants present and long-term plans.
The San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman smiles during a FanFest event at the Napa Yard, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Napa, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Logan Webb, San Francisco’s ace, is signed through 2028; outfielder Jung Hoo Lee is signed through ‘29; Heliot Ramos, Patrick Bailey and Tyler Fitzgerald have yet to hit arbitration. Bryce Eldridge, the Giants’ top prospect, could make his way to San Francisco as early as this season.
And, of course, there’s Adames.
Adames, one of baseball’s better shortstops over the last half-decade, signed a seven-year, $182 million contract in December, and he’s just 29. On the field, they’ll hold down the left side of San Francisco’s infield. Off the field, they’ll hold down San Francisco’s clubhouse.
“It’s impossible to put value on (leadership),” Burrell said. “Everybody that plays this game learns from the people that came before them. To have two guys that go about their business the way these two do, you can’t put a price tag on it. It’s too valuable. Sometimes, just having guys like Adames and Chappy in the room will elevate people’s games.”
